Surrey Senior Cup tonight

4 December 2013

Chris Slavin

A young Dons side bid to extend winning form

AFC Wimbledon's crop of promising youngsters will be aiming to build on their impressive performance in the last round of the Surrey Senior Cup in tonight's second round tie at Carshalton Athletic (7.45 pm kick-off).

George Oakley (pictured above right receiving congratulations from Tom Beere) struck twice in the last round to help the Dons to a 4-0 win against Badshot Lea.

However, Wimbledon will have an even younger squad at Colston Avenue tonight with a squad consisting entirely of Under-21 players and it will be a tougher test too with Carshalton two divisions above Badshot as they currently play in the Ryman Premier League. Several youngsters from Mark Robinson’s Under-18s, including Dan Ageyi, will be getting their first taste of men’s football alongside Shaun North's Under-21s.

This cup tie offers supporters an opportunity to watch a crop of players who will be looking to progress through the ranks with the summer appointment of Under-21 Development Coach Shaun North aiming to help bridge the gap between youth and first-team level.

We have played against Barking and Badshot Lea in the senior cups and they became difficult tests because the boys were playing against teams of men. Shaun said: “It is all about development for these players and this is a good opportunity for our youngsters to play in a competitive match.I want the lads to show where they are in terms of their development.”